A Randomized Clinical Efficacy Trial of Red Yeast Rice (Monascus pilosus) Against Hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Red yeast rice (RYR) has been used as an alternative treatment for hyperlipidemia. According to the previous studies, other compounds, besides monacolin K in RYR, may also reduce the serum lipid level. This study aims at examining the efficacy of monacolin K-rich and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)-rich RYR (Monascus pilosus) with regards to treating hyperlipidemia in a randomized control, double-blind clinical trial. In the research, we assigned 50 eligible subjects to monacolin K-rich RYR, GABA-rich RYR and placebo groups ([Formula: see text], 17, 17, respectively). The concentrations of TC, LDL-C, HDL, TG and blood biochemical data were evaluated at different phases: before applying (visit 1), after 1-month (visit 2), 2-month (visit 3), 3-month (visit 4) of providing the intervention and 1-month after ending the test food (visit 5) among three groups. During the 3-month intervention, the serum TC and LDL-C levels decreased significantly in the monacolin K group compared to the baseline and the other two groups. The Serum TG level declined steadily but was not statistically significant. Meanwhile, no marked differences in the serum HDL level were revealed among the three groups. Most safety assessment data had minor variation except two subjects (in monacolin K and GABA group separately) reported elevated liver enzymes. Monacolin K-rich RYR can reduce cholesterol as expected, while the GABA-rich RYR performed non-significant reduction on serum triglyceride. The research results demonstrate that using different concentrations and ratios between monacolin K and GABA could be beneficial for antihyperlipidemia.

Comparing the effectiveness of Chinese patent medicines containing red yeast rice on hyperlipidaemia: A network meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…78 Clinical studies have suggested that other compounds in RYR may also decrease serum lipid levels. 79 Our network meta-analysis yielded results similar to those of previous studies.…”

Comparative Effect of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction and Red Yeast Rice Extract in Rats Fed a Hyperlipidemic Diet: Role of Antioxidant Properties and PCSK9 Expression

“…Red yeast rice (RYR) is a natural extract obtained via fermentation of white rice with the yeast Monascus purpureus mold that has widely been used to reduce serum cholesterol in patients [ 17 , 18 ]. The properties of RYR for lowering serum cholesterol remain to be clarified.…”

Perspectives on Functional Red Mold Rice: Functional Ingredients, Production, and Application

“…Besides the lowering lipid effects, the physiological functions of MLs like promoting bone formation, attenuating arterial thrombosis, and anticancer have also been confirmed (Wong and Rabie, 2008;Tseng et al, 2011;Tien et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2019). New bone formation in bone defects in vivo and bone cell formation in vitro can be stimulated and increased using RMR extract (Wong and Rabie, 2008).…”

“…An efficient and better tolerance in hypercholesterolemic patients was seen when FRMR was combined with other bioactive compounds. For instance, combining FRMR with guggulipid extract, chromium picolinate, berberine, and coenzyme Q 10 showed a better tolerance and efficiency (Yang and Mousa, 2012;Di Pierro et al, 2016;Cicero et al, 2017;D'Addato et al, 2017;Stefanutti et al, 2017;Mazza et al, 2018;Formisano et al, 2019;Wang et al, 2019;Iskandar et al, 2020).…”